Abstract:
Background: Over 1.2 million people die each year on the world’s roads, up to 50 million more
sustaining serious injuries and living with long-term adverse health consequences. Low-income
countries have fatality rates more than double those in high-income countries despite their low
level of motorization. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the magnitude of fatal
crashes and associated factors in eastern Ethiopia.
Objectives: To assess the proportion of fatal road traffic crashes and its associated factors
between Chiro and Harar towns in Eastern Ethiopia from January 10 to January 20, 2018
Methods: A cross sectional retrospective record review of all 658 road traffic crash police records
was conducted using a data retrieving form. The source of data was road traffic crash police records
from July 2016 to June 2017 of five district police offices between Chiro and Harar towns. The
data collectors were trained police officers within the respective district police offices. Bivariate
and multivariable analysis were used to determine associations between fatal road traffic crashes
and associated factors. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval with P <0.05 were
considered as a cutoff point for statistical significance.
Result The proportion of fatal crash was 14.1% [95% CI: 11.4, 16.8]. Crashes occurring in rural
areas [AOR= 2.272, 95% CI: 1.192, 4.331], during night time[AOR= 1.960, 95% CI: 1.088, 3.532], over
speeding [AOR=6.074, 95% CI: 1.636, 22.556], failure to give priority [AOR=4.951, 95% CI: 1.371,
17.877], type of vehicle i.e. Isuzu [AOR=8.429, CI: 3.415, 20.808], Trucks [AOR= 3.748, 95% CI:
1.256, 11.186] and others (Peugeot, Damas,Automobiles) [AOR= 3.240, 95% CI: 1.127, 9.318] were
significantly associated with fatal road traffic crashes.
Conclusion: less than a fifth of the crashes were fatal and this needs timely intervention.
Education of drivers on risky behaviors, strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations and
close supervision of type of vehicles known to have increased risk of fatal crashes are
recommended
